Connor Hood - Golden Bears and Pandas Athletics

EDMONTON - The No. 1 ranked University of Alberta Golden Bears soccer team suffered their first loss of the season, dropping a 2-0 decision to the visiting Trinity Western Spartans, Saturday afternoon at Foote Field. The win also snapped a losing streak for the Spartans, as it marked TWU's first win over Alberta in nearly six years. The Spartans last victory over the Bears was Sept. 24, 2011, when they earned a 1-0 win in Edmonton.

Domenic Poletto and Joel Waterman scored for the Spartans on Saturday, while Sebastian Colyn made six saves to earn the clean sheet, and his fourth win of the season. Golden Bears keeper Connor James stopped four of the six Spartan shots in the loss.

TWU, who lost to the Golden Bears in the 2016 Canada West semifinal at Foote Field, came out with nothing to lose on Saturday, playing with an obvious chip on their shoulder. That mentality showed up on the scoreboard as well, as the Spartans fired nine shots in the first half, opening the scoring in the 35th minute. Poletto was able to beat James after a fantastic offensive sequence to give the Spartans the lead.

Despite trailing, the Golden Bears were still able to generate some first-half offence, but all three of their shots were turned aside by Colyn.

TWU doubled their lead late in the second half, as Waterman was able to find the back of the net for his first of the season in the 78th minute. The Golden Bears fired another eight shots toward the Spartans net in the second half, but were unable to get on the board late in the second.

Alberta, now 5-1-1, will remain home, as they host the No. 2 ranked UBC Thunderbirds tomorrow afternoon. Trinity Western (4-2-3), meanwhile, will head down to Calgary for a meeting with the Dinos on Sunday.